I'm sure there are some decent Freemasons, that generally want to do good. Lets face it though , the first thing a gangster does when he sets up in town, is give to charity. Its their way of saying I am willing to play ball , but I may need some favours doing in the future ( from policeman, judges, politiicans , councillors etc ).

Its basically a the ordinary mans version of an Old Etonian gentlemens club. Not everyone is welcome, I doubt I would be because of my political views. Just like the honours list, only those that toe the line get knighted, not the likes of Scargill, Crow , Corbyn etc.

Personally if I wanted to raise money for charity etc, the Round Table is probably a better option, similar thing but without the bigotry , secrecy and sinister types in it to plough their own furrows.

Agree. You have to ask the most basic question of all, why the secrecy and bizarre ritual ?

What secrecy ? You all have google. You all have YouTube. I've offered you all a tour and to answer any questions.
We had an open day a month or two ago.

Why won't you answer any questions on here?

...and Colonel, you're still talking bollocks.

Arrange to meet me at the building and I'll tell you exactly what we do.

Can you not see how dodgy that sounds?

All right. Meet me in the pub and I'll tell you. It would just be better there as I could show you the lodge room and all of the stuff used during the 'bizzare' ceremonies.

Seems I can't win.

Not to worry.

You have lodgers?

Whoever said earlier that this is getting tedious is spot on.

If you want to know about it contact me. If you want to keep posting rubbish do so.

I'll enjoy reading it knowing you've avoided getting any information in order to keep posting missinformation.

Why do I have to meet you personally to find out what it is?

I've had a quick google and still don't really understand it all, what I do know is that I couldn't be a part of something with names like "Worshipful Master W Bro.", maybe as a daft kids club when I was 9 year old as a laugh... Each to their own though.

I am not a Freemason but I have friends who are and they are just ordinary working men who use it as a social meeting. I have attended social evenings quite regularly and found myself very welcomed. All profits from these socials go to local charities
The socials I have been to were all in colliery areas where there are strong connections with the miners obviously strong Labour territory so it's not all full of wealthy people in top jobs.

Joe Mac. One last go. What do you want to know ?

Simple mission statement from you. What is the purpose of the Freemasons?

Me getting ready for the trust board meeting tomorrow, wooga!

Yeah this.

its to individualised to post a 'mission statement'. Different people get different things from it. If you want a generalised mission statement this one from a Provincial Lodge website is fairly despcriotive -


Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest and largest non-religious, non-political, fraternal and charitable organisations. It teaches self-knowledge through participation in a progression of ceremonies. Members are expected to be of high moral standing and are encouraged to speak openly about Freemasonry. The following information is intended to explain Freemasonry as it is practised under the United Grand Lodge of England, which administers Lodges of Freemasons in England and Wales and in many places overseas.

Freemasonry is a society of men concerned with moral and spiritual values. Its members are taught its principles (moral lessons and self-knowledge) by a series of ritual dramas – a progression of allegorical two-part plays which are learnt by heart and performed within each Lodge – which follow ancient forms, and use stonemasons’ customs and tools as allegorical guides.

'Freemasonry instils in its members a moral and ethical approach to life: its values are based on integrity, kindness, honesty and fairness. Members are urged to regard the interests of the family as paramount but, importantly, Freemasonry also teaches concern for people, care for the less fortunate and help for those in need.

If you want to know what I get from it I could list a few things.


Friendship
A sense of well doing (charity etc)
Parts of it remind me of my military service
Meeting people I wouldn't ordinarily meet in a social setting
A sense of belonging
Being part of something that has been around 100's of years
Them social side that evolves outside of the Masonic setting. Ladies nights, social nights etc

Is that enough ?

Ok, that said, did you kill Roberto Calvi? And if you're keen on fairness what is your beef with women?

https://www.owf.org.uk


As I said earlier.

Joe Mac. What more do you want me to say ?

Shit, or get off the pot !!

Can understand all of that Bresslaw, you're probably one of the good guys, but surely you can understand why people are generally dismissive of the organisation?. You mention military service there, I can understand that as well, but a lot wouldn't join the military because of its macho , initiation cermony type garbage, its not so long ago the military were openly hostile to having women and black faces in its ranks.

So forget the politics and religion and you're left with fraternity and charity. So why not just meet up with your friends and organise a whip round in the pub and save all that dressing up and ritual?

People are dismissive because it's an easier option than spending a little time finding out about it.
It's also easier as a collective to have a go. I've done what I can to explain. Not sure how much more I can do. People have a go because they are ignorant of it and won't make an effort to look further. Up to them I suppose.

As for secrecy, and membership, try walking into a golf club committee meeting. Try walking into any board meeting. If people really want to know what happens at a Masonic meeting it's very easily found out, even I've offered a full explanation. However, people don't really want to know. They'd rather snipe from the sidelines

As I keep saying, it's an open invitation. Come down to the hall, I'll show anyone round, anytime. I'll explain the ceremonies and why they are done. I'll show you the stuff used and why it's used. If your worried about me filling your pockets with rocks and hanging you under a bridge come en masse

Because people enjoy the dressing up and ritual. The historical aspects, the benefits it brings to you as a person. If you enjoy watching football why not just go to Rift House on a Sunday morning. Why do you need to all dress in blue and white and all sing songs together?

I seen painfully shy people totally come out of their shell because of the ceremonies they get involved in. It's a sense of achievement. Of being part of a team

Sorry for the multiple posts. I'm answering different people.

The religious and political discussions arent allowed in the lodge room. Nothing wrong with discussing either over a pint in the bar

So how do you join this great establishment?

If you are serious I'll send you a link that has all the information you need. Are you ?

Bresslaw. I know you are not daft right, and you know me well enough.

What I have said above might not be the facts, but it IS a general perception of what the freemasons are.
Is that clear enough?

With regards to you refusing to say what is is, well that just amplifies the above suspicions. For godsake man, very few of us want to meet you at a lodge and get some weird powerpoint presentation, or whatever it is you think you will achieve.

I have stated that I have read suspicious things, even simple things like denying everything but saying nothing. Just what you have done throughout this thread. If you had nothing stopping you, you would just explain on here what it is.

But you cant, can you? Its not that you wont. You cant. Again just amplifies the suspicions.

I mentioned loads of stuff, and you rebuffed some of it, but blatently ignored other parts of it, dare I say the more embarrassing stuff.

I suspect the bits you haven’t responded to are the bits that are fact. But like all people in the Freemasons, you never confirm what you do, just deny what you don’t.

If you were completely free to do so, you would type a full explanation. But you clearly cant.

It goes beyond that Snowy and we know it. How many times has it been heard, " I will get your son a job, I will mention it at the next meeting of the Lodge " " I will get the bloke you broke into your garden shed hung from the gallows, I will have a word with someone at the next meeting of the lodge".

I haven't really a problem with this, we could do the same as Hartlepool United supporters, close ranks and look after our own, its just all the secrecy and the denial that this sort of thing happens. Reminds me of Golf Clubs years ago, before they allowed the riff raff in.

I am sure there are some good, above board lodges though, or am I being naïve?.

The 'you scratch my back....' is actually very much frowned upon. What can happen, if I can give you an example is, say I want some plumbing work doe and there is a plumber in the lodge I may well ask him as I know him as a friend. Why look through the phone book looking for someone you don't know.

In order to prove the point further. Where did it get me?

By the way I agree with Bresslaw, it's terrible when people snipe and make unfounded snide accusations about an organization or individuals on a message board without any justification or evidence

Where's my ironing

I've never known anyone get a job as a result of a 'word at a lodge meeting' whereas I do know of someone who was excluded when they tried to influence a colleague using their Masonic status.

Would those be the snide accusations I discussed in detail via a private message to the person concerned ?

Via Facebook incidentally.

Freemasonry will always have its detractors. I guess I know that. What puzzles me is that they could find out far more than they are willing to rather than detract. I will tell you whatever you want to know. Can that be said of other organisations?

To put it simply, it all seems very odd.

I'll settle for 'odd'

You missed out - "dressy ups"

I enjoy that too. There are historical reasons for regalia worn. I'm guessing you don't want to know what they are so I'll not bother

Do you attend the meetings or is there a Freemason themed website where you can pass comment on proceedings at the wigwam, a messageboard, without ever attending....?

I never miss. Incidentally, I don't ever recall holding a meeting in a wigwam. You must know something I don't !

Waste of time me joining then

What's been your favourite dressing up outfit so far?